The autumn chill had deepened. Even at noon, when the sun shone high, it couldn’t diminish the gradually bone-piercing cold in the wind.

Xie Wei stood at the entrance of the hall.

His figure was quite tall, perfectly blocking that patch of light streaming in from outside the hall entrance, covering Jiang Xuening’s somewhat slender form entirely in his shadow. At this moment, she widened her eyes, yet could not discern what kind of expression Xie Wei wore in the blurred backlight.

Was she afraid?

She was.

Very, very afraid.

At this moment, Jiang Xuening suddenly felt so tired, as if all the strength in her body had been drained away. Finally, thoroughly abandoning all pretense, she blinked and said, “I’m just a young lady from an inner chamber. I have neither influence in the court nor any ambition. Apart from my father, I have no connection whatsoever with Teacher Xie. To Teacher Xie, I am merely a tiny ant that Teacher could crush with slight effort. I cannot pose any threat to Teacher. If I say I’m afraid, but from beginning to end have no intention of reporting or harming Teacher from behind, would Teacher be willing to believe me?”

Xie Wei was silent for a long time before asking her in return, “If you were me, would you dare to believe?”

Not whether he was willing, but whether he dared.

Jiang Xuening gently lowered her head. A section of her slender, fair neck appeared snow-white even in the darkening shadow.

At this moment, she truly put herself in his shoes and thought about it.

If she were Xie Wei, having had her own schemes since at least four years ago, but because of illness-induced confusion or a moment of irrationality while in desperate straits, she had uttered some shocking words to the only person beside her at the time, yet afterward that person unexpectedly escaped with their life—would she believe this person could forever keep their mouth shut and not reveal this secret to any interested party?

Jiang Xuening’s eyelashes trembled. Although inwardly most unwilling, she had to admit it, slowly saying, “I wouldn’t dare believe it.”

Even if that threat might be only as insignificant as a speck of dust.

But a thousand-mile dike can collapse because of an ant hole. How could one know whether someday everything wouldn’t fall apart because of this one speck?

To believe her, to let her go, would be tantamount to placing all his schemes, even his own head, in danger. He would have to worry at all times: Will this person seize an opportunity to scheme against me? When will she stab me in the back…

Understanding this point, Jiang Xuening was certain she would undoubtedly die.

The pain of the dagger slicing across her neck in her previous life surfaced almost simultaneously with this realization, making her hands clasped before her body tremble somewhat beyond her control.

Yet precisely at this moment, she was unwilling to show fear.

She forcefully clenched her fingers.

Xie Wei asked her again, “Then what does Miss Ning Second think—when four years later, one day I suddenly discover that the little girl who knew my secret is not as naive and ignorant as I thought, what should I surmise?”

Jiang Xuening said, “She was playing the fool to preserve her life.”

Xie Wei’s gaze fell upon her overly tense hands. “So, if you were me, should this person be eliminated or not?”

Jiang Xuening closed her eyes slightly. “But Teacher, I don’t want to die.”

Xie Wei fell silent again.

This moment was suddenly stretched infinitely. In the extreme tension, Jiang Xuening felt like a lamb beside the guillotine, not knowing when she would be placed upon that sharp blade.

Xie Wei gazed at her for a long time, as if considering something.

Finally, he actually extended his hand toward her, slowly saying, “You are not my threat. The real threat is that I dare not trust you, yet I want to trust you. Miss Ning Second, Xie Wei is not an ungrateful person. It’s just that what you’ve revealed is beyond my expectations. I need to see clearly what kind of person you are, and whether you’re worth my risking to trust. I don’t want to eliminate my own life-saving benefactor, so for this half year of companionship, please stay properly under my watchful eye.”

As he spoke, his slender fingers gently brushed the top of her head.

Jiang Xuening froze.

Xie Wei only said, “Although you’re unwilling to remain in the palace, this is currently the only way I can convince myself not to kill you immediately. Please bury what happened four years ago deep in your heart, making it a secret forever known only to you and me. Don’t force my hand, and don’t anger me again.”

Having said this, he withdrew his hand, turned, and walked out from the hall.

Walking from darkness into light.

The daylight outside finally illuminated his entire figure. His pale blue Daoist robe’s sleeves fluttered as he walked beneath the vermillion palace walls, gradually moving into the distance.

When she returned to Yangzhi Studio, Jiang Xuening looked exactly like a water ghost that had just been fished out—her steps unsteady, her face deathly pale.

Fang Miao was sitting in the corridor, counting on her fingers how much time had passed, considering whether she should really go “rescue” this Miss Jiang Second if two quarters of an hour truly elapsed.

It all felt rather like a joke…

But when she turned her head and saw Jiang Xuening return in such a state, she was so shocked she stood up directly. “Miss Jiang Second, what—what happened to you?”

Only then did she realize that what Jiang Xuening had said earlier might not have been a joke at all.

But…

But everyone in court and country knew what an easy-going person Xie Wei was! What on earth had Miss Jiang Second gone to argue about to be frightened into this state by Teacher Xie, who had the temperament of a saint?

Jiang Xuening, however, didn’t answer.

She went straight into her room, turned back to close the door, then slowly slid down with her back against it, covering her face with both hands and pressing them against her bent knees.

Only then could she clearly hear her own heartbeat and breathing.

She was still alive.

From the small window on the north side, sunlight penetrated through the snow-white window paper, and fine dust particles floated in the air like luminous specks swimming in water.

Jiang Xuening raised her head and watched those dust particles for a long time.

Then she suddenly laughed aloud—a hearty laugh, but also a self-mocking one.

Xie Wei actually said he didn’t want to kill her!

Such a deceitful person—should she believe him?

But now she was neither Empress nor did she hold any power. She was merely a daughter of an inner chamber. Even if she went out and was killed by mountain bandits, she probably wouldn’t make much of a splash. Those who wanted to cover it up would have countless means to do so.

Did a wolf need to deceive an ant?

No.

Then why did the Xie Wei of her previous life say such terrifying things to her?

Did this madman find scaring her amusing?

Or perhaps Xie Wei’s change in attitude was because of her own change in this life—

Less than a month since her rebirth, the things she could do were few and far between. Truly speaking, there was only one thing. That was not scheming to seduce Shen Jie while taking for granted Yan Lin’s kindness toward her.

If this was indeed the reason for Xie Wei’s different attitudes toward her across two lifetimes, and at this time Yan Lin hadn’t even gone to pledge himself to Xie Wei yet, then she could believe: the secrets about the previous dynasty from twenty years ago that You Fangyin had revealed to her in her past life were mostly true!

That Xie Wei would massacre the imperial family and the Xiao clan was truly not surprising.

Even understandable.

In this instant, Jiang Xuening actually felt this person was somewhat pitiable. But reconsidering, she was like a clay Buddha crossing a river, unable to save herself—what qualification did she have to pity someone in a superior position who held her life in his hands?

“Half a year, half a year…”

She slowly closed her eyes, repeating this time frame over and over in her heart, finally exhaling slowly.

“Since I cannot avoid it, better to meet each move as it comes!”

If she could avoid it, that would naturally be best.

But if she truly couldn’t avoid it, she also didn’t want to meekly offer her neck to the blade.

If everything Xie Wei said earlier was true, that would naturally be best. After half a year, leaving the palace, she could be free and unrestrained. If Xie Wei had a deceitful nature and his words were merely lies to deceive her, then staying in the imperial palace for this half year was actually the safest choice she could make.

No matter how one acted, in the palace there would always be some constraints.

Taking ten thousand steps back, the worst situation for her was merely repeating the old path of her previous life—throwing caution to the wind and continuing to seduce Shen Jie, becoming Empress, then slowly dealing with Xie Wei!

After figuring out how to proceed, Jiang Xuening sat in place for quite a while longer. Finally feeling some strength return to her legs, she stood up again, washed and freshened herself up to clear her head, then tidied her luggage somewhat to prepare to leave the palace.

These three days in the palace were merely for learning etiquette and undergoing the second round of selection.

The actual companion reading would begin two days later. After the finally selected people returned home to bid farewell to their parents and pack their belongings briefly, they would re-enter the palace. Imitating the rest and bathing system of court officials, after entering the palace as the princess’s companions, every ten days they could return home for one day.

After the results of the scholarship examination came out, Grand Princess Leyang Shen Zhiyi sent people to bestow many rewards. Both those selected and those not selected received them, though those selected received an additional set of the four treasures of the study.

Before Jiang Xuening left the palace with everyone, Shen Zhiyi personally came to see them off.

She held Xiao Shu’s hand and talked for quite a while, then held her hand and talked for quite a while more, before finally having the supervising eunuch Huang Renlǐ beside her, along with a group of palace attendants, lead them out of the palace.

The carriage the Jiang family sent to fetch her had been waiting outside the palace gates early.

Lian’er and Tang’er stood waiting by the carriage. When they saw her emerge from the palace gates in the distance, they happily waved at her.

Jiang Xuening bid farewell to the others and boarded the carriage.

Tang’er noticed she seemed somewhat tired and quickly arranged the cushions in the carriage properly, helping her sit back comfortably. Looking her over with some concern, she said, “Miss must be exhausted these past few days?”

Jiang Xuening thought to herself that being tired was real, and being afraid was real too.

She slowly closed her eyes, considered for a moment, then said, “After we return to the manor, I’ll sleep for a while first. You send someone to deliver a message to the Yongyi Marquis Manor, asking Young Master Yan to meet me tomorrow at the Hour of the Rooster at Cengxiao Tower. I have something I want to discuss with him.”

You must know, in the past when Second Miss and Young Master Yan played together, it was mostly Young Master Yan who came looking for her, so gradually even these maids became accustomed to occasionally seeing Young Master Yan brazenly appear on the courtyard walls of the Jiang Manor, or on Miss’s window sill.

It was extremely rare for Second Miss to proactively arrange to meet Young Master Yan outside.

Tang’er heard Jiang Xuening’s voice was calm, yet somehow suddenly felt a sense of alarm, but didn’t dare ask much, responding softly.

Jiang Xuening closed her eyes to rest briefly.

The carriage departed from outside the palace gates.

But they hadn’t traveled far when a lowered voice suddenly rang out from outside. “Second Miss, Second Miss!”

Jiang Xuening felt this voice sounded familiar somehow.

She opened her eyes.

The coachman driving outside, having spotted the person, had already stopped in time, turning toward the curtain inside to report, “Second Miss, it’s a young lady. She seems to be looking for you.”

Jiang Xuening waved her hand, having Lian’er lift a corner of the carriage curtain. Looking outside, it was actually You Fangyin!

Today she wore a moon-white dress and skirt, though it didn’t look particularly new. Her hair was bound in a bun, but she wore no ornaments. On a face that could only be considered plain, apprehension and nervousness were written all over. Both hands were tucked in her sleeves, seemingly clutching something, but it couldn’t be seen clearly through the sleeves.

Her nervousness seemed entirely to stem from this.

But when, crossing through the carriage curtain, she saw Jiang Xuening sitting inside the carriage, her eyes immediately brightened considerably. Even the slightly reddish teardrop mole at the corner of her eye seemed adorned with light.

Jiang Xuening was actually dazzled for a moment by that ray of brightness and vitality that suddenly burst forth from this wooden, dull face, and didn’t react immediately, watching her for a while.

Just in this brief while, You Fangyin became nervous again.

That previous glimmer of brightness was quickly suppressed, replaced once more by her original timidity and fear.

She stammered, “I, I, I…”

Seeing this, Jiang Xuening sighed and said, “Come up into the carriage to speak.”

Looking at her like this, she wouldn’t be able to get it out for some time. She couldn’t very well have her keep standing outside the carriage.

The coachman brought over a footstool and stepped aside, allowing You Fangyin to climb into the carriage while supporting herself on the carriage shaft.

Jiang Xuening had her sit opposite herself and simply said, “What do you want with me?”

After sitting down, You Fangyin was somewhat at a loss, her body tense. After thinking for a long time without knowing what to say, she looked at her twice, seemingly took a deep breath, gathered her courage, then took out what she had been hiding in her sleeve.

It was actually a simple square box.

Flat, looking like it couldn’t hold much, and made of very common rosewood, nothing precious.

Yet she held it with both hands, passing it toward Jiang Xuening, stammering, “I, I wanted to give this to Second Miss.”

Jiang Xuening guessed that since she had saved her life, You Fangyin had probably bought some things to repay her gratitude.

But she truly didn’t seek her gratitude.

Therefore, she didn’t reach out to accept it, only softening her voice to say, “Your circumstances in the manor aren’t good either. Whatever you have, keep it for yourself first. Even if you want to repay me, wait until your own situation improves.”

“No, no, it’s not…”

Hearing her words, You Fangyin knew she had misunderstood. She had a basketful of words she wanted to say, but her tongue was clumsy. The words stuck in her throat and she simply couldn’t form them into complete sentences. Moreover, she didn’t know why she was particularly nervous in front of Jiang Xuening, making her appear even more wooden and awkward.

She could only place this box in Jiang Xuening’s hands.

“This must be given to Second Miss. It’s all, all yours.”

Hers?

Jiang Xuening truly couldn’t remember giving her anything. Seeing her so insistent, she was somewhat moved by this persistent yet clumsy appearance and smiled, saying, “Then I’ll take a look.”

She lifted her hand to open the box.

The next instant, she completely froze—

Inside this simple box lay a thin stack of bank notes, with a moon-white embroidered sachet of exquisite workmanship pressed beside them.

The bank was currently the largest bank in the capital.

Each bank note was for one hundred taels. Jiang Xuening’s fingers trembled slightly as she picked them up and counted roughly—there were actually as many as two thousand five hundred taels!

How could a small concubine daughter from an Earl’s manor produce so much money?

The instant she saw these bank notes, she suddenly understood something. Her eyes grew warm, and tears nearly rolled down.

But she still raised her head to ask her, “Where did you get so much money?”

You Fangyin blinked, as if not understanding why she would ask this. “Wasn’t it Miss who taught me? To take the money to find a merchant named Xu Wenyi outside the Jiangzhe Guild Hall to buy raw silk, then wait half a month for the price to rise before selling it. I, I bought a whole four hundred taels worth of silk!”

She had actually gone and done it…

Jiang Xuening nearly choked up.

But looking at these bank notes, she still calculated and said, “With four hundred taels of silver as capital, earning three times that would only be an additional twelve hundred taels. At most, you’d have sixteen hundred taels with the principal. How do you have as much as twenty-five hundred taels?”

You Fangyin honestly said, “From the sale, I only earned twelve hundred taels. But after selling the silk, Master Xu insisted on adding two thousand taels for me no matter what. I couldn’t refuse him. After much persuasion, he finally agreed to add only nine hundred taels instead.”

Jiang Xuening was puzzled. “Master Xu gave you money?”

You Fangyin nodded like a pecking chicken. Speaking of this, her eyes brightened. “Yes! After I sold my silk, Master Xu’s silk also sold, and he made a lot of money. When the silkworm farmers from his hometown learned of this, they were very happy too. Master Xu told me on their behalf that if Fangyin wants to continue doing business in raw silk next year, they can set aside some quality goods for me then. They said I could pay only half the deposit and take the goods to sell first!”

Xu Wenyi’s silk sold out…

Jiang Xuening’s eyelid twitched. “He knew the silk price would rise?”

You Fangyin saw her expression seemed to change. The eyes that had just brightened dimmed somewhat, and her voice became much quieter as she mumbled, “He asked me, so I told him. But, but please rest assured, I never once mentioned your identity. When Master Xu asked who you were, I didn’t say a single word.”

Jiang Xuening held this box of bank notes, hardly able to believe what she was hearing.

First, the You Fangyin of her previous life had only earned three times her investment in this raw silk transaction, but the current You Fangyin had put out four hundred taels and gotten back two thousand five hundred taels.

Second, not only did this silly girl make money for herself, she actually told Xu Wenyi about it!

She looked at her with a complex gaze. “How did you dare tell him? This kind of information—if it gets out, it will cause trouble.”

You Fangyin’s face went completely white. Both hands clenched tightly together as she opened her mouth. “But, but Master Xu is a good person…”

A good person?

Jiang Xuening, having lived two lives, apart from Zhang Zhe, didn’t even know how to write the words “good person.”

She said, “How do you know he’s a good person? If he were blinded by greed, you probably wouldn’t be able to appear before me alive today.”

You Fangyin was frightened by her heavy words.

For quite a while, she only knew to stare at her, a pair of eyes wide open with what seemed like a thousand words inside them.

But she couldn’t get out a single word.

Jiang Xuening sighed deeply. “Never mind.”

She made as if to hand the box back, thinking that since nothing had happened this time anyway, she would just admonish her to be more careful in the future.

But unexpectedly, You Fangyin suddenly spoke again. Although her voice trembled somewhat from fear, the look in her eyes gazing at her held an inexplicable firmness and persistence. “Second Miss, I, I asked before going to the Jiangzhe Guild Hall. Master Xu, he, his entire livelihood is in this business. And the silkworm farmers from his hometown are all still waiting in Nanxun for him to sell the silk and bring money back. I, I, I—Mother told me that if a person has many friends helping him, and many people willing to trust him, he should at least be someone not bad. If, if I didn’t tell him, what would happen to him? What would happen to those silkworm farmers? So I, I…”

Jiang Xuening froze.

The next moment, she laughed.

But laughing and laughing, somehow a sourness welled up from deep in her heart. The tears she had suppressed earlier, forcibly held back in her eyes, all fell down, pattering and rolling, wetting the bank notes in the box.

“Silly girl…”

You Fangyin first saw her smile, and her face brightened accordingly, thinking she wasn’t going to pursue the matter, even feeling she had done the right thing.

But before she could be happy, Jiang Xuening started crying.

She was frightened into a flurry, panicking completely, hurriedly raising her sleeve to wipe her tears. “Don’t cry, don’t cry. It’s all Fangyin’s fault. Fangyin knows she was wrong. I’ll never speak carelessly to others again…”

Hearing her speak like this, Jiang Xuening’s tears flowed even more uncontrollably.

You Fangyin started crying too, feeling extremely guilty. “Miss hoped I would make money, so it must be that Fangyin isn’t good enough. This time I didn’t earn enough. Don’t cry anymore. Next time, next time I’ll study more seriously. Next time, I’ll definitely earn more for Miss. A lot, a lot more…”

She really is a silly girl.

Jiang Xuening cried while wanting to laugh. For a moment, past life and present life, myriad feelings all surged up, yet transformed into something deeper and heavier, settling down solidly, finally allowing her to step from the groundless midair onto solid earth.

She couldn’t control her sobbing.

She lowered her eyes to look at that box of bank notes, then raised her head as if to stop the tears, though her voice still carried a tearful tone. “No, it’s very good. You’ve truly done very well already.”

It’s me.

I’m the one who’s not good enough.